Merkerson's has been a fried-fish staple in the West End community for more than 20 years. Merkerson's staff boasts that everthing is fried to perfection. The menu includes several different fish—red snapper, trout, whiting, flounder, catfish, oysters, and shrimp—that are battered and fried within minutes. Merkerson's offers the AUC Special to any college student, which is a 3-piece fried whiting with fries for $1.99.